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Influence is something every leader wants to develop in order to be more effective. In most organizations, there are two ways in which you can exert influence.

The first is inherent to the role you hold, which is often referred to as positional power. For example, the executive leadership team of an organization and the CEO can influence their employees simply by pulling rank. That type of authority might be necessary at times, but it won’t win the hearts and minds of your people. Your title will only get you so far.

There is another type of power that is much more magnetic, and it relates to the individual irrespective of their position: personal power. We all gravitate towards charismatic people who have the ability to walk into a room and make each person feel like the most important person there. They are so comfortable in their own skin that they can focus their attention outward, inspiring others and bringing out the best in them. These are the leaders who most of us would follow anywhere.

So how can you tap into that energy?

Those who exude personal power have developed their skills across three main dimensions:

Character

Those with personal power are grounded in who they are and what they want, which is usually in service of something greater than themselves. These individuals are not only clear on their values but they live them and model them to others. They are driven by a deep sense of purpose that is contagious.

People who know themselves well are less likely to compromise their integrity or shape their beliefs according to what others feel. They stand up for their beliefs in a passionate manner that enlists others to follow. They set healthy boundaries with those who share different perspectives, allowing space for others to co-exist with their unique beliefs, recognizing that differences are a natural expression of diversity.

Communication Skills

Leaders who exhibit strong personal power are conscious of what they are broadcasting to others and how they are doing it. In particular, they pay attention to whether their words and actions diminish or empower those around them. Again, they understand that their behaviors have an impact that extends beyond them. They understand the ripple effect of communicating with others and the power of their words to create change and momentum.

They develop their self-awareness habitually by monitoring how their verbal and non-verbal cues are received by others so that they can gauge how others are experiencing them. They master the art of adaptability by meeting each person where they are and leaving them feeling heard and validated. With these individuals, you can sense the congruency that they express -- their words match their actions and vice versa.

Confidence

Those with a strong sense of personal power know that they are not perfect, but that each day, they are doing the best they can to show up in excellence. They embody a mindset that makes room for mistakes and embraces the lessons that come from failing forward. But more importantly, despite any insecurities they might possess, they set a strong intention to exude self-confidence, which translates completely to their demeanor.

None of these characteristics are traits that any of us are born with. Rather, we have the opportunity to develop them continuously if we commit to focusing on these dimensions.

Take a pulse on your own capacity to exert personal power. How do you fare?